Bangladesh (BD)
Bangladesh is a densely populated delta nation in South Asia, bordered by India and Myanmar, with the Bay of Bengal to the south.
Key Documents Checklist
Gather these before and after moving to Bangladesh.
Required for entry, work permit processing, BIDA registration, bank KYC, SIM card registration, hotels, police reporting and domestic flights.
Required for legal stay. Visa-on-arrival is discretionary and typically issued for short-term stays only; it is not a work route.
Foreign employees need employer-sponsored permission from BIDA, BEPZA, BEZA, NGO Affairs Bureau or the relevant sector authority before beginning work.
Required for work permit processing, bank KYC, rental affordability checks and tax registration with NBR.
Taxpayer identification number issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR), required for income tax filing, high-value transactions and many professional registrations.
Required for work permits, dependant visas and sensitive-sector employment. Bangladesh acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention on 30 March 2025; documents from Hague member countries may use apostille, while those from non-member countries still require full embassy legalisation.
Required for work permit applications, regulated roles and university or school employment. Certified translation into Bengali may be required by the receiving government authority.
Required for dependant visas, school enrolment, inheritance proceedings and family civil matters. Documents from Hague member countries: apostille. Non-member countries: embassy legalisation.
Lease agreement, employer letter or utility bill; required for bank KYC, embassy applications, school enrolment and some government registrations.
Required for school enrolment, private health insurance underwriting, employment medicals and pet import planning.
Foreign licences are recognised for short-stay driving with a valid IDP. For extended stays, apply to BRTA (Bangladesh Road Transport Authority) to convert to a Bangladesh driving licence. Most expats rely on professional drivers in Dhaka given traffic conditions.
Required before importing dogs or cats; confirm live-animal import rules with the Department of Livestock Services and the airline's cargo team well in advance.
📜 What is an Apostille?
An apostille is an official certification that validates a document for international use. It is issued by a designated authority in the country where the document was issued (usually a court or government office). Required for documents from Hague Convention member states.
🌍 Certified Translations
Certified translations must be done by a sworn/authorised translator. In Bangladesh, only translations by officially registered translators are accepted by government offices. Keep originals — they may be returned after verification.
Documents
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